Any recommendations for large panel reflectors?

chrisdg

Hello,

I enjoy outdoor/environmental portraiture and I am of course finding my 23" circular reflector to be too small for anything beyond illuminating head and shoulders. Anything larger with a flimsy/collapsible frame tends to not deliver a flat enough reflective surface, particularly if there is a breeze.

I recently had a chance to borrow a 4'x6' Panel Reflector from California Sunbounce and it was really nice (and really pricey). The next level down appears to be the Skylite Panels from Lastolite, but all that velcro fastening and such appears to be a headache (i watched the videos). I think I'd be happier with the setup and teardown of the Sunbounce, although not by much!

Is anyone aware of other options I should consider?

CALIFORNIA SUNBOUNCE 4'x6' $450
http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,10662.html


LASTOLITE 42"x78" SKYLITE $350
http://www.adorama.com/LSSKYKM.html



As an example, even on this half-body shot from a senior shoot this weekend, my current reflector reveals illumination only on the face



Thanks!

ziggy53

I've used everything from aluminum foil covered cardboard panels through painted plywood panels, and they work pretty well. With the aluminum foil it's best to "crinkle" it a bit before pasting it down.

If you use large, collapsible commercial panels/rings, you're right they are too flimsy to use the silver surfaces, but the white surfaces work pretty well and are not as directional.

WingsOfLovePhoto

I use a rigid reflector from Larson www.larson-ent.com Bought it as a kit so don't know how much they are individually. You can attach it to a lightstand with a super clamp. I use it mostly indoors as my fill light in the studio. Works really well. Also Fuzzy Duenkel has a system to make your own. Have seen how to do that in a book called natural light portraiture. You could probably look him up. It is an interesting concept. Nice picture you posted.

Joves

I made one with PVC water pipe and, white windbreaker material. What you need is four 90°s, three tees and the pipe. I had a lady sew it so I could slide the pipes through and, I put the three tees just above the center on the frame, you put one in the middle of the other two so you have a leg to hold it up and, you can move it forward and back to adjust the reflection.